2018 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

Maine’s journey of legalizing cannabis started in the early 20th century with banning the use of marijuana. However, in 1976 Maine became the third state to decriminalize the possession of cannabis in small amounts. It took over thirty years for Maine’s citizens to settle the question of allowing cannabis for medical use in the state. With the passage of more laws, medical marijuana was legalized in 1999 in the Pine Tree State, but lack of planning for a proper medical cannabis program meant the plant was essentially still illegal except for small amounts.

Ten years after the bill’s passage, Maine revisited the decriminalization of marijuana. and the governor signed legislation saying that possessing less than 2.5 ounces is a civil infraction. So it stayed for a few years until the groundswell of support for medical cannabis in the 2016 Presidential Election. During that election, Maine voters passed the Marijuana Legalization Act, which allows all adults to legally grow and have small amounts of cannabis in the state. This act also permits the sale of cannabis from licensed commercial production and retail locations.

While state-licensed dispensaries sell medical marijuana currently, individuals are also allowed to grow their own cannabis. Adults in Maine are allowed six mature plants, 12 immature plants, and an unlimited amount of seedlings. The plants cannot be visible to others, and those under 21 can’t have access to the growing area. Also, Maine requires each plant to be labeled with your name and an identification number. Smoking marijuana and driving is illegal, and those that use marijuana aren’t allowed to purchase guns.

2017 Marijuana Packaging Laws Update

The Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) is the governing body that decides all the rules and regulations about the sale, labeling, and packaging of medical cannabis. The exact rules for labeling and packaging cannabis aren’t just based on food and drug safety laws. In Maine, cannabis products are literally still under these rules and regulations, found in Title 22, 2157 Maine’s Regulations for Food and Drug Labeling. These rules ask that medical cannabis businesses label their products clearly with all ingredients and possible allergens.

The labels on prepared marijuana and goods containing marijuana that are sold by dispensaries and caregivers are used as evidence of compliance with the law that limits possession and dispensing to 2.5 ounces of prepared marijuana per qualifying patient. The packaging and labeling of prepared marijuana and marijuana products for sale by registered dispensaries and caregivers must comply with applicable State labeling laws. See 22 M.R.S.A. §2157.”